For the first time this season, Verdigris found itself on the wrong side of the win-loss column.
The Lady Cardinals struck first Friday in the Rogers State University Festival, but Edmond North answered immediately and steadily pulled away, handing Verdigris its first loss of the season, 7-2.
The loss dropped the Lady Cardinals to 5-1.
Verdigris managed 4 hits, with Erin Gray, Hadlee Jefferson, Sydney Lewis and Taber Ennis each collecting 1. Ennis drove in the Lady Cardinals' first run, while Lewis scored their other run in the seventh.
Verdigris also drew 5 walks and stole 5 bases but struggled to turn those opportunities into runs. The Lady Cardinals stranded a pair in the second and put runners on the corners in the fourth without scoring.
The Lady Huskies, meanwhile, finished with 10 hits. Drue Molenda went 3-for-4, while Raegan Wakeland finished 2-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs.
Charlee Hathcoat went the distance in the circle for Verdigris. Edmond North did much of its damage late, scoring four times over the fifth and sixth innings.
The Lady Cardinals couldn't have asked for a much better start.
Gray dropped down a one-out bunt single in the top of the first and advanced to second on Rilyn Stringfellow's groundout. Ennis then ripped a single to right to bring Gray home for a 1-0 lead.
It didn't last long.
Blake Mueggenborg opened the Lady Huskies' half of the inning with a single and eventually scored on Wakeland's RBI single. Molenda, who had also singled, came home moments later on Ryleigh Combs' double to center to give the Edmond North a 2-1 advantage.
Hathcoat limited the damage there and worked a scoreless second, including a called third strike against Kamryn Weber.
Verdigris had an opportunity to answer in the second after Olivia Young and Brinlee Murray drew consecutive two-out walks, but a popout ended the threat.
The Lady Huskies added to their lead in the third with some help from the Lady Cardinals' defense.
Combs reached on an error to begin the inning before Tessa Claudio reached on another. Combs eventually came around to score as Lynlee Elliott laid down a sacrifice bunt, stretching the Edmond North advantage to 3-1.
Verdigris again threatened in the fourth.
Jefferson drew a one-out walk, stole second and moved to third on Young's groundout. Murray followed with her second walk and stole second, putting two runners in scoring position, but Molenda induced a flyout to escape without allowing a run.
After a scoreless fourth, the Lady Huskies created separation with two more runs in the fifth.
Claudio and Elliott delivered back-to-back singles before Weber doubled to left to score Claudio. Elliott later came home on a passed ball, extending the lead to 5-1.
The Lady Cardinals' defense prevented the inning from getting any worse.
Stringfellow snagged a line drive at second before Lewis handled a fly ball in right to end the inning with runners stranded at second and third.
Edmond North delivered its biggest blow an inning later.
Molenda doubled to center before Wakeland launched a 2-run home run over the center-field fence, pushing the margin to 7-1.
Verdigris refused to go quietly in the seventh.
Lewis singled to center with one out before Gray reached on an error, putting runners on the corners. Lewis then scored during Stringfellow's at-bat to account for the final run, but Gray was caught stealing second and Stringfellow grounded out to end the game.
The Lady Cardinals will look to bounce back quickly when they continue play in the RSU Festival against Eufaula at 11:15 a.m. Saturday.
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